Post by ned on Apr 25, 2013 19:51:18 GMT -5
There was 2" of new snow on the ground when I got to the farm just before 6am.. too late for my liking but oh well. As I was putting my gear on the birds were gobbling on the roost so I hurried to a little field surrounded by bush that I thought that they might hit based on where the gobbling was coming from. I no sooner got to the field and could hear them on the ground and moving quickly. I picked a tree and got my call out, I made a call and 2 were gobbling at me. I didn't have to wait long & I watched them come into the field, strutting every so often as they entered the field. There were 3 jakes and the 1st one into the field ran right towards me like he was on a string to about 40yds then stopped. I had a branch in my way and when I shifted to get a better sight picture he must have seen me and he headed in the opposite direction. The other 2 jakes continued strutting & gobbling at about 80 yds & didn't really move too much until a couple of hens entered the field and led them away. I made some "clucks" & "cuts" as they left the field but they just gobbled and followed the ladies away.
I had ranged a rock in the field at 40yds, made a couple calls and then this jake appeared just at the top of a knoll at the edge of the field. He strutted and I estimated him to be about 45yds away. He didn't make any moves to enter the field & so I set the cross-hairs on him, snapped the trigger & down he went. I collected my prize and then ranged the shot..... 55yds, wow I really misjudged the distance and I got lucky, I never should have taken that shot - I am only using a 12ga with a full choke & 2 3/4" shells, like I said I got lucky. 40 minutes from the time I got out of my truck. 14-16lb bird, nubs for spurs, & 3-4" beard.
Ned
I had ranged a rock in the field at 40yds, made a couple calls and then this jake appeared just at the top of a knoll at the edge of the field. He strutted and I estimated him to be about 45yds away. He didn't make any moves to enter the field & so I set the cross-hairs on him, snapped the trigger & down he went. I collected my prize and then ranged the shot..... 55yds, wow I really misjudged the distance and I got lucky, I never should have taken that shot - I am only using a 12ga with a full choke & 2 3/4" shells, like I said I got lucky. 40 minutes from the time I got out of my truck. 14-16lb bird, nubs for spurs, & 3-4" beard.
Ned
